NCJ Number
86636
Date Published
1981
Length
111 pages
Annotation
This Swedish study examines the etiology of drunk driving and speeding, and issues relevant to the prevention of these offenses are considered.
Abstract
An ecological analysis of Swedish drunken driving rates found that alcohol consumption and urbanization were the most important predictors (the effect of urbanization appears to be due to a regional variation in the dark figure). The extent of driving exhibits a moderate effect, while the subjective risk of detection shows no relationship with the dependent variable. Further, it appears that alcohol consumption has a stronger impact on drunken driving 1st degree than on drunken driving 2nd degree. A second study collected data through a questionnaire mailed to 4,500 licensed drivers. In this study, alcohol consumption and moral attachment to the drunk driving regulations appeared to be the strongest predictors of drunken driving. No evidence of simple deterrence was found. Age and extent of driving were found to be the most important predictors of speeding. There were weak relationships between speeding and perceived risks of accident and detection. In 1975, a public information program was conducted against drunk driving. The campaign was evaluated by means of a pre- and post-test measurement that used mailed questionnaires. With some exceptions, no appreciable change was noted between the two points of measurement. Suggested reasons for this are that some of the campaign's target factors do not affect drunken driving and that the factors of etiological significance are not easily influenced by a public education campaign. Other issues discussed include methodological problems, assumptions of the deterrence doctrine, and policy implications. Tabular and graphic data and about 95 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)